STAFF
Myra Smith is our Program Coordinator at MMI that just joined us this past August 2018. Myra grew up in Santa Maria, California and learned to serve the Lord through her parents loving example. She volunteered in Africa for two years prior to marrying her husband Jeff. She worked in Togo and Ghana for a year each with the Assemblies of God Church. They have two daughters and now two grandchildren. Myra has a passion for the Lord and missions and is excited to continue that work at MMI. She worked as a administrative assistant in several ministries her whole adult life and most recently with Pastor Terry Townsend at Peoples Church for 18 years. When you call MMI, Myra will be answering your phone calls.
MMI is grateful that James Diaz joined our team as the MMI Logistics Coordinator. For 39 years, James was the Regional Manager for the State of California’s Employment Development Department for the Central Valley. James retired 8 years ago. But. James has not retired from serving in his community and at Peoples Church (PC). James and his lovely wife Bonnie were Head Ushers and Greeters at Peoples Church. James oversaw the Stephen’s Ministry for 11 years. He was the President of Men’s Ministry at Peoples Church when it was called Kingsmen. He was on the PC Church Council. Once a month he prays with the men at the Fresno Rescue Mission. James enjoys golf. But, James was searching for something new in his life. When he heard about the MMI Warehouse Position, he began to pray and God blessed us with James. Welcome James and Bonnie to the MMI family.
Daniel Flores
MMI Warehouse Driver
Daniel is our newest MMI part-time employee. Daniel has a huge heart and a big smile. Originally from Guatemala, Daniel serves at MMI as our MMI Warehouse Driver on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Daniel goes to our local hospitals and clinics to pick of medical supplies and equipment.
Daniel attended the University of San Carlos of Guatemala and graduated in 1984 with a degree in architecture. His full name is Rene Danilo Enriquez Flores but goes by “Danny”. He and his delightful wife Lily have two children.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Louie Martina
Board Chairman
Louie is the CEO of PARC Environmental. He took his first mission trip fifteen years ago, and a love for God’s people throughout the world was birthed in him. Since then, he has traveled to many different countries and worked to grow God’s Kingdom. In addition to Board Chairman, Louie heads up the MMI international construction teams. He and his wife Marguery have four grown children and two grandchildren.
Tom and Nancy Stoeckel
Board Members / Founders
Tom and Nancy founded MMI in 1998 after seeing firsthand the vast need for health care and supplies globally. Tom is a retired Naval Captain and a registered nurse since 1975 with extensive medical experience as the Department Head of Level One Trauma Center Emergency Department for 13 years. He has Master’s Degrees in Radiation Physics and Counseling Psychology and has been an Ordained Minister since 2008 from the Berean school of the Bible. Nancy has a Master’s Degree in Science and is a Family Nurse Practitioner. Over the last twenty one years she has worked as a Public Health Nurse and a Family Practice Nurse Practitioner specializing in women’s health. Together, Tom and Nancy combine their extensive education and experience with a love for Christ and a passion for reaching and caring for others, mentoring and teaching, especially the under-served around the world.
Brooke Nakashima, RD
Board Member
As MMI’s newest Board Member, Brooke Nakashima has already left her mark on the organization. With a heart to serve and a passion for the mission of MMI, Brooke has been MMI’s Travel Team Coordinator for our trips to both the Solomon Islands and Fiji. The Lord called Brooke into medical missions at a national mission conference in 2003. After meeting Tom and nancy at a missions fair in 2011, Brooke began volunteering at MMI. In 2012, she joined the medical mission in The Solomon Islands. It was there that the Lord graciously showed her that by providing basic healthcare to the people of The Solomon Islands, their hearts were opened to the Good News.
Brooke has a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Fresno State and has been a registered dietitian since 2006. She specialized in nutrition for kidney disease, geriatrics and developmental disabilities. For fun, Brooke enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, cheering on the San Francisco Giants and lattes from Two Cities Coffee in Clovis.
Angelica Gonzalez
Board Member
Angelica Gonzalez is a new member on the MMI Board but a long time friend of MMI. Her husband George Gonzalez, MD was a MMI founding board member and Angelica has been part of MMI’s growth and development over the years. Her commitment to MMI became personal when their local chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) was asked to fundraise for a MMI container to the Nebobongo Hospital in the DRC in 2012. During that time a malaria/salmonella outbreak brought 30 kids per day to this small hospital coupled with an ebola outbreak later that summer. In 2013, Dr Gonzalez and Angelica traveled to the Nebobongo Hospital to provide medical education for the staff. It was there that Angelica got to see up close and personal a hospital with no running water or electricity and to see how the medical supplies entrusted to MMI make a significant difference in a 3rd world hospital overseas. Since then, their local Fresno CMDA has fundraised for a new red brick pediatric ward ((2014) and a 2. MMI container (2015) for the Nebobongo Hospital. Angelica received her MSW in Social Work from USC and a BS Degree in Psychology from UC Davis.
Nora Christensen
Board Member
Nora Christensen is a beloved member and the heart and soul of the MMI Board of Directors. As a long-time friend of the Tom and Nancy Stoeckel, Nora has been actively supporting the work of MMI since its inception in 1998. Nora has been the driving force behind MMI’s much needed growth in the area of sustainability and a huge part of the planning and execution of MMI’s Community Development project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nora’s husband, Norm passed two years ago and watches proudly from his heavenly home as Nora continues their legacy of ministry and love in Christ. Nora has three sons, six grandchildren and 10 great grand children. Nora has called People’s Church home for almost fifty years.
Ralph Handly, O.D.
Board Member
Dr. Ralph Handly is an Optometrist retired after 45 years of practice. His practice venues have included the military, solo private practice and a group eye care practice. He is a retired US Army Colonel and recently retired as a partner at Eye-Q Vision Care in Fresno where he served 10 years as Board President. Since he joined the board of MMI, Ralph has volunteered countless hours in our warehouse building our supply of prescription glasses and working on donated equipment. Ralph has been married to Barbara, a retired nurse administrator, for 48 years and they have 4 children and 9 grandchildren. They share a love of travel and a passion for the vision and ministry of MMI.
Hymman Wood
Board Member
Hymman Otis Wood, Jr. has been deeply involved in pastoring, leading, teaching, and serving on missions for over fifty years. With degrees from California State University Fresno, Assemblies of God Seminary, and Fresno Pacific University, Hymman brings his education as well as his experience to MMI. He and his wife Virginia have two sons and four grandchildren.
Joyce Eden, RN, MHA, MSN
Board Member
Joyce Eden is a new addition to our MMI Board. She is a missionary kid, born in Liberia and lived in Nigeria until coming to the United States to attend nursing school. Repurposing is part of her DNA and her greatest joy is being able to serve mind, body, and soul. MMI is a natural fit for these values. She has been a friend of MMI for several years, connecting others to its services. She considers it a privilege to go on individual mission trips and to partner with Gerry, her husband , when time permits. Her health care experience and Gerry’s “jack of all trades” talents has provided great adventures stateside and overseas. Joyce has served in several roles at Northpark Community Church, in the professional nursing community, and on the board of the West Fresno Family Resource Center. She currently serves in an emergency department setting.
VOLUNTEER STAFF
Rachel Kenny Wise
Director of International Clinics
In the spring of 2012, before she entered the nursing program at Fresno State, Rachel had the opportunity of going to an orphanage in Haiti, where God continued transforming her heart and shifting her passion to serve and love His people across the world. Rachel first encountered MMI in the fall following that trip to Haiti. She began volunteering at the MMI Clovis warehouse then joined the medical teams going to Fiji and the Solomon Islands in 2013. After this life-changing experience, God opened the door for her to become a part of the MMI team as one of the overseas clinic leaders. Currently Rachel graduated from nursing school this past December 2015. Rachel says, “I am excited to continue pursuing the Lord’s calling of medical missions as I become and RN!” Rachel is working as a nurse in the BURN UNIT!!!
Dr. Jacob Khushigian is our MMI Physician Liaison. Jacob (Jay) Khushigian, B.S.E.L., M.D. seeks to follow and serve Christ. He is married to the “Bride of His Youth” Susan (Sue) for 35 years and they have two adult children, Daniel and Arminé. He holds a B.S. in Electronic Engineering and a Medical Degree. He is Board Certified in Family Practice since 1990 and has practiced emergency medicine for 29+ years in the San Joaquin Valley of California. He has a heart for Christ centered missions and has participated in short-term missions in Mexico, Dominican Republic and Armenia. He has been blessed to share Christ during a “Half-Time” devotional twice a week for the past 26 years as part of a basketball ministry. Recently, Jay and Sue have been blessed to be participants in reconciliation between Turkish and Armenian Christian leaders.
Barbara Howell
MMI Bookkeeper
Michael Partnoff, IT Consultant
Michael Partnoff, IT Consultant, is one of our newest volunteers at MMI. As a MMI Board and Staff, we have been praying for someone to come alongside us and help us with our IT problems. Myra Smith, MMI Staff member, met Michael this summer at the Grizzlies Game when MMI was asked to host a table advertising what we do for the Fresno/Clovis community. Little did we know that God would answer our prayers that night!!
Marlene Hill-Covey is our delightful MMI Office Volunteer. Marlene has 35 years serving in church administration. She retired from the Forestry Department where she was the Regional Administrative Office over Personnel that covered Sacramento to San Diego, California. She began in ministry teaching a Sunday school class at 18 years of age and has served in many capacities since. She and her husband ran a bus ministry for 10 years picking up hundreds of children in the Fresno-Clovis area. Today, you can see her winsome smile at MMI. Marlene serves at MMI 1-2 days per week coming alongside Myra Smith to assist her in whatever is needed for that day or week. MMI is most blessed to have Marlene share her time and talent with us.